MADISON – One of the best attended and entertaining annual events in Madison returns with Festival of the Arts at Bob Jones High School on May 11.

“The festival is meant to advocate for ‘The Arts’ in the City of Madison. Art and music from elementary, middle and high schools are featured,” event coordinator and Bob Jones art teacher Robin Lakso said.

Starting at 4 p.m., elementary chorus students will sing in the cafeteria area. Artwork from Madison’s elementary schools and Liberty and Discovery middle schools will be exhibited in the Upper Commons area at Bob Jones.

Bob Jones students will display their designs in the Lower Commons. All students in Lakso’s and Jenny Norton’s art classes will submit art pieces for the festival. Guests will enjoy massive montages of art designs throughout Zompa Auditorium’s hallways.

“There will be one performance for the city’s Elementary Honor Chorus at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium,” Lakso said. From approximately 6:15 to 6:30 p.m., middle and high school musicians will perform.

The Bob Jones Indoor Drumline will grab everyone’s attention about 6 p.m. in the gym. Times are tentative and may change closer to the festival’s date.

Bob Jones PTSA will conduct a brief PTSA meeting in the auditorium between performances. The evening will conclude after concerts by Discovery and Bob Jones bands in Zompa Auditorium.

“The show is well attended because so many Madison City Schools students participate. Family and friends are invited to come out and share the art and music that fine arts students have been dedicated to all school year,” Lakso said.

Other teachers in fine arts at Bob Jones are Chorus Director Randall Fields, Band Director Leigh Thomas and Assistant Band Director Kevin Smart. Drama students with Mary Davis and Dwayne Craft will be busy with rehearsals for “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

At Discovery, arts teachers are visual arts instructor Raquel Spiegel, retiring after 44 years in education, and Discovery Band Director Jenny Merritt. Elementary art teachers are Sage Murine, Cathy Newby and Noel Newquist. Elementary music teachers are Audra Loftin, Kristy Newsome and Tracy Stewart.